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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 | Hi guys: I have decided to not but the 54 engine and transmission that is available, but to rebuild my own. Now. I was told that the deceased former owner of my truck had rebuilt the engine. The engine and transmission have been painted the same color, leading me to believe that it was rebuilt......The problem is, the engine is frozen and I have tried all ideas to break it lose to no avail....Now when I pull it out of the truck and start opening it up, what should I look for to see if #1. it has been rebuilt, #2 To look for anything broken or jammed that would have frozen the engine? #3.Could the transmission be locked someway?
As always, thanks for your help!! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | How long did the engine sit idle without being turned? Whenever an engine stops, at least a few valves will be open to the atmosphere. This allows humidity to cycle in and out of one or more cylinders and promote rusting. Depending on how humid the climate happens to be, a cylinder can rust heavily enough to lock the engine up in a matter of a few months in some cases.
I'd suggest pulling the cylinder head first, and inspect the cylinders for rust accumulation around the tops of the pistons. Once the pistons are exposed, a good soaking with penetrating oil and some energetic massage with a block of hardwood and a heavy mallet might get things moving.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 | Thanks Jerry: The engine has set unmoved for several years. I have had it in storage for 2 years, it was frozen when I purchased it. It came from west Texas, with little rust, but it is now in South Georgia less than 100 miles from the Gulf, so humidity may be an issue. I have tried everything anyone has suggested to loosen it and It has been soaking the full time I have owned it. That is why I suspect other issues. I have thought the transmission may be locked in a gear, but it will go into natural and will roll, but not in gear.
Last edited by billm; 10/24/2014 11:13 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | To add to what Jerry said, if you suspect other causes besides rust, drop the oil pan and inspect. Pulling the head and dropping the oil pan are easy enough done w/the engine in the truck. Should you find the problem and it is minor, reassembly can be pretty quick and a test run could be made with the engine still bolted in.
Good luck
Dave | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 60 | | | |
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